General Practitioners

• Warts
• Arthritis
  Yet, as common as foot problems are, the feet are generally the most neglected part of the body. Many people suffer from some type of foot ailment. Certain medical groups such as diabetics, rheumatoid arthritis, and the elderly, for example, are at an even higher risk for the development of severe foot problems. Keeping all this in mind, you will soon realize how important it is that you give your feet the attention they deserve.
• Plantar Fasciitis
  Plantar fasciitis may occur when the band of tissues that support the arch of your foot experience too much stress. These tissues can become strained from frequently performing sporting activities, thus causing inflammation and pain at the bottom of the heel.
• Cryotherapy
  If you have plantar warts, your podiatrist may try different treatment methods depending on your specific case. Some treatments for plantar warts are peeling medicines (salicylic acid), freezing medicines (cryotherapy), or surgical procedures. Laser treatments and vaccines are also used to treat plantar warts.
• Pediatric Care
  The education of a podiatrist includes four years of college, followed by four years of podiatric medical school, followed by 2-3 years of a surgical residency training program. During these years of education, the podiatric medical student is exposed to many different areas of general medicine including dermatology, pediatrics, orthopedics, internal medicine, pathology, and neurology. Additionally, specialized podiatric training in the many areas of lower extremity ailments, infectious diseases, diabetic wound care, and surgical principles is obtained.
• Primary Care
  HMO and other managed care patients require proper referral authorization documents from your primary care physician before office visit and treatment.
• Emergency Care
  New patients should call during regular office hours and true emergency cases should be handled by your local hospital emergency department.
• Diabetic Foot Care
• Infectious Diseases

Internists

• Internal Medicine

Neurologists

• Neurology

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care

Radiologist

• X-Rays

Surgeons

• Orthopedics
• Wound Care
  Hugar Foot & Ankle Specialists include board-certified podiatric surgeons who specialize in the treatment of foot and ankle pathology, injuries and diseases. Our practice offers outpatient surgery procedures, on-site digital X-Ray testing, custom foot & ankle orthotics, advanced wound care methods, shockwave EPAT treatments, LASER surgery, and physical therapy services.
• Ankle Surgery
  We are board certified in foot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery and have maintained active memberships as elected officers and national leaders in the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. We are also members of the American and Illinois Podiatric Medical Associations.
• Bunion Surgery
  Had bunion surgery. Dr. Hugar explained everything I should expect during surgery and post surgery. Everything went perfect! Am very happy with results and with Dr. Hugar.
• Bunions
  Reasons that a person may develop a bunion can vary. Some patients may form bunions due to genetic factors, complications with arthritis, or a weak foot structure. General aging can also play a role in the formation of a bunion.
• Ingrown Toenails
  There are many reasons why an ingrown toenail may develop. Improperly cutting your toenails is a major cause of ingrown toenails. If toenails aren’t cut straight across or are cut too short, the likelihood of getting an ingrown toenail may increase. Other causes include having unusually curved toenails, wearing shoes that don’t give your toes an ample amount of space, and hereditary factors. Injuring the toe by stubbing it or having an object fall on it may also lead to ingrown toenails. If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to further complications with the foot.

Dermatologists

• Dermatology
• Corns
  Corns and calluses are hard layers of skin that usually form due to friction. Generally, they will be in areas of the foot that are bearing weight, or areas that frequently rub against the shoe. Soft corns are typically found between the toes.
• Ulcer
  The shape of your foot molds the cast. It lets your ulcer heal by distributing weight and relieving pressure. If you have Charcot foot, the cast controls your foot’s movement and supports its contours if you don’t put any weight on it. To use a total contact cast, you need good blood flow in your foot. The cast is changed every week or two until your foot heals. A custom-walking boot is another way to treat your Charcot foot. It supports the foot until all the swelling goes down, which can take as long as a year. You should keep from putting your weight on the Charcot foot. Surgery is considered if your deformity is too severe for a brace or shoe.
• Calluses
  Orthotics, as well as medical pads for corns and calluses that may develop due to your hammertoe, are recommended to help relieve discomfort. Light toe exercises may also be helpful for strengthening the muscles and mobility of your toes.
• Fungus
  The area of the toes is generally warm and damp, unfortunately making it a great area for fungus to grow. If left untreated, the fungal infection can spread, which is why it’s so important to get professional help early on and look into your treatment options.
• Lesions
  If you suspect you have plantar warts, you may have the following symptoms: pain or tenderness while walking, a lesion that interrupts the ridges in the skin of your foot, small fleshy lesions on the bottom of the foot, or a callus where a wart has grown inward over a well-defined spot on the skin.

Physical Therapists

• Sports Medicine
  Patients depend on us. We can help our patients whether their issues are large or small. Our board-certified podiatric surgeons handle general foot care, advanced wound care, sports injuries, worker’s compensation, X-Ray testing, custom foot & ankle orthotics, surgical procedures, and more. We utilize the latest treatment techniques and cutting-edge technology such as shockwave EPAT treatments, LASER surgery, SWIFT® Wart removal, physical therapy services, and more.
• Physical Therapy
  The professional staff at Hugar Foot & Ankle Specialists includes board-certified podiatric surgeons who specialize in the surgical & medical treatment of injuries & diseases of the foot & ankle. Our facility includes an outpatient same day surgery facility, a LASER treatment center, an on-site Digital X-Ray department, and physical therapy services. We also maintain affiliations with Rush Oak Park Hospital, Loretto Hospital, and Gottlieb Memorial Hospital.
• Flatfoot Correction
• Heel Pain
• Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy

Podiatrists

• General Podiatry
  To ensure your convenience, below is the information you need about our podiatry office, including our hours, location, appointment scheduling and insurance acceptance.
• Achilles Tendonitis
  There are many different causes of heel pain, including strains or sprains, tarsal tunnel syndrome, stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis, and heel bursitis. One of the most common causes of heel pain for children and teenagers specifically is Sever’s disease. Sever’s disease can develop due to overuse or repetitive microtrauma of the heel bone's growth plates. This condition is often seen among those who are active in sporting activities.
• Ankle Sprain
  Some sports may be considered more dangerous in terms of foot and ankle injuries compared to others. These sports may include basketball, running, football, soccer, and dancing. Sports that require tightly worn shoes as well as have a particular focus on jumping typically run a higher risk of injury. Because the feet are considered the foundation of the body, help us stay balanced, and enable us to perform our everyday activities, professional help should be sought at the first instinct of something gone wrong.
• Bunions Problems
  A bunion is a bony, painful swelling that is often formed on the first joint of the big toe. Bunions can be extremely painful due to the weight of all your body resting on it each time you take a step. Everyday activities, such as walking and wearing shoes, can cause you extreme discomfort if you have a bunion.
• Calluses
• Diabetic Foot Care
  The Hugar Foot & Ankle Specialists offer over 75 years of combined experience in providing quality, expert, medical and surgical care for all types of painful foot & ankle problems, for patients of all ages. Recognizing that foot and ankle problems are most easily treated before they become serious, the Hugar Foot & Ankle Specialists emphasize early detection and prompt treatment for ailments such as sprains, muscle strains, tendonitis, bunions, hammertoes, corns and calluses, flat feet, heel spurs, ingrown toenails and plantar warts - only this preventive philosophy and method of treatment can lead to a faster recovery time and help prevent rapid progression to more serious debilitating conditions. Other problems such as fractures, work injuries, sports injuries, arthritis, and diabetic foot care require and receive immediate specialized attention from the Hugar Foot & Ankle Specialists.
• Flat Feet
• Fungus Toenails
  Fungal infections occur due to fungus getting through the cracks of the toes or cuts in your skin. Common signs that you may have a fungal infection include thicker than normal toenails, oddly shaped toenails, discoloration, a yellowish hue to the nail, and separation of the nail and nail bed. Fungal infections can affect anyone but are most common among men, those with diabetes or athlete’s foot, and smokers. The risk of having toenail fungus also increases as you age, if another family member has it, and if you have a weaker immune system.
• Hammertoes
  Hammertoes can be identified by an abnormal bend in the middle joint of the toe. This abnormal bending can lead to added pressure on the toe when wearing shoes. It can also cause pain or discomfort when walking or running. Because hammertoes typically worsen overtime and become increasingly more rigid, it’s recommended that you seek the help of a podiatrist for treatment options if you believe you’re experiencing the symptoms of this deformity.
• Heel Spurs
  A heel spur is a bony protrusion that occurs on the heel. It is often confused with plantar fasciitis, which is inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament. When a heel spur is painful it can make it quite difficult to walk.
• Heel Pain
• Ingrown Toenails
  Treatment for an ingrown toenail will vary on a case by case basis. One form of treatment requires lifting the ingrown nail and placing a splint or piece of cotton underneath. Another method for a more severe case would involve partially removing the nail. For cases that need extreme care, the nail itself and tissue would have to be removed.
• Foot Orthotics
  Complete outpatient surgery center for in-office treatments, on-site Laser procedures, EPAT shockwave treatments, digital X-ray imaging, and in-house physical therapy are just a few of the services available at our state-of-the-art facility. We also utilize digital scanning techniques for custom foot orthotics and braces. Minimally invasive arthroscopic assisted procedures are available for the relief of chronic heel or ankle pain. Advanced tissue replacement methods are used on a routine basis for chronic non-healing wounds and diabetic foot ulcers.
• Pediatric Foot Care
  Following graduation from an accredited podiatric medical school, the new podiatrists are required to participate in surgical residency programs to further advance their experiences and education. These programs include advanced training in the surgical and medical management of common foot and ankle conditions as well as exposure to complicated adult and pediatric foot and ankle disorders. The Hugar Foot & Ankle Specialists offer Board Certified residency-trained foot and ankle surgeons; our doctors have participated in the training of over 100 podiatric surgeons practicing around the country.
• Plantar Fasciitis
  Dr. Hugar has written this e-book to help you make sense of plantar fasciitis and provide some hope that this frustrating condition can be treated successfully. Download the free E-book today and learn methods to finally end your chronic heel pain problem. Download Now
• Podiatric Surgery
  As members of the American Podiatric Medical Association, American Board of Podiatric Surgery, and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, we have set high standards for our practice. We have the qualifications and resources to make us the informed, intelligent choice when considering surgery & treatment of your foot or ankle problem.